What Makes Team Clayton Different

Everybody seems to know someone who's a REALTOR®, however some important things set us apart from the average real estate agent. Tom and Janet, have been full-time agents since 2002, that's a lot of experience supporting you! When you hire us, you're supporting a family business! You're also getting a whole team of agents for the price of one. That's just the beginning...

• We're charitable: Team Clayton was just recognized as a Top 10 contributor in RE/MAX Professionals to the Children's Miracle Network, supporting Phoenix Children's Hospital. Not only that RE/MAX Professionals raised over $20,000 for PHX Children's in 2018!

• We're top performers: Top 5% of agents nationwide! We do over 40 transactions every year, so all of that experience is working for you, to get you the best deal!

• A team on your side: Tom, Janet, and Kyle Clayton are all full-time Realtors®! You get all of us, plus Stephanie, our Transaction Coordinator for no additional cost to you.

• We don't drop the ball: We have the systems in place to get your transaction closed and the expertise to get your offer accepted. That's huge! Diann will be in constant contact with you and you can call any of us with questions.

We want to make buying and selling your home, an easy process. Our goal is to not only make sure you know what is going on at all times but also to ensure your transaction closes. Our experience and media presence can make the all the difference when selling your home. Team Clayton is the whole package and we continue to innovate. So let's work together!

Home Improvements That Increase Property Value

It always seems to happen, you start fixing your house up right when you're ready to move. That's life! So I wanted to give you a few, easy fixes that translate to an increase in your home's value.

• Subway Tile: from the kitchen to bathrooms, you can't go wrong with this classic tile. You could realize a 4-7% increase in property value by adding a backsplash. 
• Kitchen improvements have a 75% Return on Investment (ROI), so you can spend some money and expect to get most of it back. You'll also be able to enjoy the kitchen of your dreams!
• Farmhouse Sink! Buyers love these sinks and may even buy the house just because of this! Homeowners have seen as much of an 8% increase in sales price due to a farmhouse sink!
• Shaker Cabinets in the bathroom are totally in style. They'll can jump the sales price almost 10%! These classic style cabinets appeal to all types of buyers, so it's a no brainer for bathrooms or kitchens!

Zillow was some other suggestions too, so read more here.

Preparing your home to sell is essential and sometimes, it means doing a little home improvement work yourself. However, I always want you to focus on things that will make you money, so don't go crazy. Doing the right things when fixing up your home can help it sell faster, without costing you a fortune. 

Have any questions? Feel free to ask me at Kyle@TeamClayton.com

The Benefits of Owning a Home.

We all need a place to call home and feel comfortable. It may be a house, apartment, condo, or townhouse. We all know that finding a place to call home can be a complicated and even become an emotional decision. Especially after the downturn, young people  may be hesitant to buy a home. The good news is homeownership is still beneficial in many ways. 

Health Benefits: Homeowners and their families are generally more engaged in the community surrounding their home. That makes for healthier individuals, mentally and physically, according to Mark Lindblad, research director at the University of North Carolina’s Center for Community Capital. Children who's parents own a home also do better academically. Having a consistent home and a consistent school, helps kids thrive.

Tax Benefits: If you're single or married, without any children, you probably don't have many tax deductions to help lower your overall tax burden. Owning a home automatically allows you to deduct taxes and interest paid that year, up to 10,000 dollars. Make sure you speak with an Accountant to make sure your deductions are correct. 

Stable Costs: Rents are rising in today's market and owning a home, with a fixed rate loan, makes your housing costs predictable. As you pay down the loan amount, your mortgage will cost you even less. Rent is always cheaper in the short term, but owning a home stabilizes that cost and lowers it in the long term. A rental will never do that. 

Build Wealth: Homes typically go up in value. Although that can fluctuate in the short term, home values in the long term are stable. Real Estate is a long term investment so be patient. Even better, there are monthly gains in equity as you continue to pay your mortgage down. The bottom line is that real estate is still a great way to build wealth for you and your family. 

Capital Gains Exclusion: When you sell your primary residence for a profit, you get to keep $250,000 if your single and $500,000 if you're married. You'll pay $0.00 in capital gains taxes. ZERO! You just have to live in the home for five of the last 8 years.

The financial benefits are clear but the social benefits are based on stability. So when thinking of buying a home, make sure you're going to stay there for the long term. Then get a fixed rate mortgage and look for down payment assistance, if needed. That, along with a stable job, will ensure that you reap the financial and social benefits of owning a home.

Need help making those housing decisions? Know someone buying or selling? Please contact me, I'd love to help! Visit: www.teamclayton.com or email kyle@teamclayton.com

Sell Your House: 4 Reasons Why Now is The Perfect Time

It's a sellers market! You may have heard this already and it's true! Currently there are not enough homes for sale to keep up with the high demand, and that creates a unique opportunity for homeowners. These two conditions are perfect for those who might be sitting on a pile of equity or homeowners who just need a change.

1. Return on Investment: you've invested your money in this home and with rising prices, you've reached your desired return on investment. Are you ready to use that return to further your investment, or maybe in another property or another investment vehicle? You have options and there are opportunities to maximize your return in today's conditions! 
2. Low Inventory: simply put: there are not enough houses for sale to meet the demand of home buyers in the market. A home that is put on the market in a low inventory condition, may end up with multiple offers - and ultimately sell for a price above asking. A professional, experienced REALTOR® can assist with listing you home, placing your home in the Arizona Regional Multiple Listing Service (ARMLS), which will expose your home to thousands of online search engines, and hundreds of buyers actively looking in Maricopa County. For Sale By Owners do not have access to ARMLS and with limited exposure, they typically do not get multiple offers. 
3. Interest Rates: rates are still low, so if you are buying up or downsizing, you can save money by purchasing your longer-term investment property now. Plus, buyers are more likely to want to buy before interest rates rise, increasing the demand for properties like yours. 
4. You Deserve the House That You Love: chances are that you purchased your home in the downturn market, and maybe you updated your home - or maybe not - if you want something different, then now is the best time to think about selling. Since 2007 prices in Maricopa County have risen 87.9%, so you may be sitting on enough equity to upsize or downsize, depending on your real estate goals. Why not use that equity to buy the house you have been dreaming of? After all, you deserve a house that you love!

Selling your property is a big step but if it's been something you've been thinking about and market conditions are lining up with those goals; it's time to consult an expert! As a full-time, local expert, I can help you determine the value of your home and help you make a logical, informed decision that is best for your lifestyle. The market is ready for fresh inventory and your house may be the most desirable in this area, giving you the best conditions to accomplish your goals!

Let me know if you have any questions, email me at Kyle@TeamClayton.com or connect with me on Facebook!

What's My House Worth in Today's Market?

Are you confused about your home's value? There is a chance that you may have more options than you thought. Home values continue to rise in Maricopa County and across the country. Let's find out more:

When did you buy? If you bought between 2007 and 2012, you could be sitting on as much as $100,000 in equity. Of course that depends on your home, location, and upgrades. However, most people in Maricopa County saw an 87.9% increase in their home's value. (ARMLS stats, median sales price)

If you bought before then, you may have more options then you thought. If you bought after 2012, your options may be limited depending on your financial goals. 

So, check your homes value now and get the data you need, to make the right choice for your family. 

Now that you have an estimate of the value, it's time to think about your goals. Do you need more space? Less space? Is liquidating the ROI most important? How much? Once you know, prioritize that list and find a REALTOR® that can accomplish those goals. 

I hope this helped and at least gave you some more information. I know your home is one of your biggest asset but it's also your families home. My goal, as a REALTOR®, is to listen to your priorities and make them happen to the best of my abilities. So if you're ready to explore your options for selling, let me know. 

Email me at Kyle@TeamClayton.com or connect with me on Facebook!

P.S. Inventory is low and it's a sellers market!